By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Old greeting cards were recycled into gift-card holders, pine cones became bird feeders and a good time was had by all during Goose Creek State Park’s annual holiday open house Saturday.
Folks of all ages turned out for the event, which was hosted by park personnel and The Friends of Goose Creek volunteer group.
“We have a great turnout,” said Kelley Thompson, park superintendent, as she took a break from helping youngsters craft Christmas-tree ornaments. “I’m excited.”
The festive atmosphere was enhanced by fresh-baked goodies and piping-hot, shade-grown coffee. Holiday decorations added to the merriment.
Following the park’s usual Tots Discovery story time, the guests gathered to make their own holiday souvenirs ranging from reindeer fashioned from clothespins to personalized gift paper created with rubber stamps and colorful inks.
Ten different craft projects were offered, including “ribbon-candy” ornaments, reindeer thumb-print greeting cards, gingerbread men made of sandpaper with pungent cinnamon-stick rubbings and snowflake ornaments created from recycled paper-towel rolls and pipe cleaners.
Cathi Brown, president of The Friends of Goose Creek, patiently helped little ones make bird feeders from pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. And across the hall, The Friends of Goose Creek board member Ernie Marshall spoke about the birds that can be found in the park and how homeowners can attract birds to their yards.
Birding is a favorite wintertime activity at the park, according to seasonal ranger Michael Smith.
“You can see lots of finches, the rufted titmouse, warblers and woodpeckers,” Smith said. “And we have a lot of cardinals.”
The fun continues today with one of the park’s usual weekend educational programs. On tap is a stroll beginning at 3 p.m. along Flatty Creek Trail.
“We’ll walk through this grassland marsh environment and talk about how Goose Creek is a national, natural landmark. It’s a special designation and not everybody has that,” said Chris Cabral, the ranger who will lead this afternoon’s hike. “We’ll talk about river otters. … Hopefully, we’ll see one. If you’re going to see a river otter, Flatty Creek is where you’ll see one.”
Another holiday event in the park is planned for Dec. 12. Visitors are invited to attend a wreath-making workshop, hosted by The Friends of Goose Creek and with fresh greenery provided by Lowe’s of Washington. The workshop is free, but preregistration is required. Call 252-923-2191 for more information.
Goose Creek State Park lies east of Washington, on Camp Leach Road. The park, located on the shores of the Pamlico River, opened to the public in 1974.